30. A Lunch Together with The Patriarch
As Hikari took his seat, the conversation flowed easily, covering a range of subjects but mainly focusing on Hikari''s recent training progress, how he was feeling recently, his potential immediate needs, and his ns.
The atmosphere was cordial, indicative of a very intimate gathering, albeit one with significant implications given the status of those involved.
After enjoying the lunch, which was served promptly and savored by all, there was a hush in the conversation.
It was then that the Patriarch, with a tone of genuine interest and perhaps a hint of excitement, addressed Hikari with a soft tone.
"I heard that you mastered the ''64-palms'' from the Fifth Elder...?", The Patriarch inquired, his eyes keenly observing Hikari for his response. This question was not casual small talk; it was a recognition of Hikari''s growing prowess and his potential impact on the n''s future.
"Yes, under the careful guidance of Sir Fifth Elder and the help of the n''s resources, I managed to be fairly proficient in that technique...", Hikari replied, his tone humble yet confident.
Hizashi seemed a little stunned after hearing about Hikari''s achievement, unlike Hiashi, who appeared ready with his praise at this time,
"It''s a big deal, Hikari-kun, and it speaks mostly to your talent, smarts, and effort. I only got the hang of the ''64-palms'' when I was 12...," Hiashi said this with genuine warmth as if showing that he was truly happy for Hikari.
There was no hint of jealousy or resentment that you might expect from someone who''s next in line to lead the n, from the Patriarch''s Lineage, and found out a younger n member, from another Main Branch Lineage, mastered a critical technique six years before he did so.
However, Hiashi''s present reaction could be traced back to a profound conversation he had with his father, the Patriarch, just the day before after the Patriarch got notified about Hikari''s achievements from the Fifth Elder.
During that father-son discussion, Hiashi learned in great detail about several critical issues facing the Hyuga n, including the delicate bnce of power between their n and Konoha vige, and other ns as well, and the shifts in the Hokage''s stance towards the said ns too, particrly the Hyuga as well.
That conversation had been a revtion, fully opening Hiashi''s eyes to the broader challenges and responsibilities that came with his role as the future Patriarch, for the first time. All cards wereid in front of him, for the first time, by his father, who had been reluctant to fully involve him in the highest decision-making of the n until that time.
Moreover, Hiashi had been also made initially aware of another, and most important, stunning secret about the n vaguely, that only Patriarchs and future Patriarchs of their lineage get to know about, a revtion that had reshaped his perspective on Hikari''s talents and the future of the Hyuga n. A n he was the most proud of and loved, with all of his heart, in his life, and for which and its future he was ready to sacrifice his own life at any point in time.
That newfound knowledgepletely assured him that even if things got out of control, his own position and their Patriarch lineage could never actually be in jeopardy, even by someone of Hikari''s potential and future personal strength level, due to another revtion.
This newfound,prehensive understanding helped him see Hikari currently not as a rival or a threat, to his position as the future legitimate Patriarch, but as a valuable asset to the n, someone whose exceptional future abilities could y a crucial role in navigating theplex politicalndscape they were facing and who was crucial part of the new strategy.
With this insight, Hiashi fully embraced his father''s advice to support and value Hikari in the futurepletely, recognizing the importance of unity and coboration within the n to ensure their collective strength and survival, especially regarding Hikari, who in his father''s words, would be the second pir of the Hyuga n alongside him, the new Patriarch.
Such high valuation again affirmed his resolution to have a good rtionship with and treat Hikari well in the future, more so as his main partner in the n than just another nsman.
While the warmth and enthusiasm from Hiashi and the Patriarch took Hikari by surprise, it set his mind racing with thoughts, ''They seem genuinely pleased with what I''ve aplished.'',
''But, why? Aren''t they worried that since my talents overshadowed Hisashi''s by this margin, I might want Hisashi''s spot in the future, given how strong I''m bing? No, they''re too savvy and grounded in reality to overlook such implications, especially this old Patriarch.'',
''Instead, they must feel secure in their positions and confident they can keep any ambitions I might have in check, for some reason... Fascinating... This n has even more depth and mysteries than I previously thought...'',
''If they keep supporting me like they are now, I see no reason to disrupt the current line of session and status quo. However, on the other hand, I''m definitely going to dig deeper into these secrets, and uncover them, one way or another...'', These thoughts raced through Hikari''s mind, though he kept up a guise of child''s innocence and modesty on the outside.
Internally, Hikari was busy piecing together his next moves. He understood the importance of aligning himself closely with the Patriarch''s lineage, recognizing their significant influence within the Hyuga n - the highest individual say than all the other Main Branch lineages.
However, beyond that, Hikari also saw an opportunity to be near the n''s core, to uncover theyers of mysteries he sensed were guarded closely by the Patriarch''s Lineage alone.
Hikari had long pondered the resilience and enduring power of this exact same Patriarch''s Lineage throughout the Hyuga n''s history shown in the historical records he read before.
His studies of their past only deepened the mystery until now when he began to grasp the edges of an answer. It appeared that the lineage''s unshakeable position and its ability to maintain leadership over centuries against the nine other different Main Branch lineages of Elders, at the same time, might indeed stem from possessing a true, tangible secret power, unlike the others.
Additionally, while the Patriarch did not wield absolute authority within the n—acting instead as ''the first among equals'' among the ten Elder Lineages of the Main Branch—their lineage''s dominance was perhaps anchored so deeply not merely due to tradition but also from this "hidden power" perhaps.
The Hyuga n''s governance was structured around a council system, with the Patriarch presiding as both the head and the facilitator of the council''s discussions and organizational logistics.
This setup mandated that significant decisions required a collective consensus among the Elders, adhering to a straightforward majority-vote mechanism. In these critical votes, the Patriarch''s voice carried the same weight as any other Elder, with just a single vote to his name.
For some day-to-day operations, while the Patriarch had the autonomy to make executive decisions, even many of these routine matters were typically brought before the Elders'' weekly meetings for their advisory input.
Furthermore, the Patriarch''s Lineage yed a pivotal role in representing the Hyuga externally, bing the primary interface with other ns and vige authorities.
Intriguingly, unlike the other Main Branch lineages, which might choose sessors based on merit, the Patriarch''s Lineage adhered to strict primogeniture, bestowing leadership on the firstborn son.
Hikari now spected that this rigid approach to session was deliberately designed to minimize disputes and ensure stability, which was especially important for this lineage due to that same critical matter.
As their conversation continued, the discussion, somewhat unexpectedly, shifted toward the Hyuga n''s variousmercial ventures, administrative tasks, and broader operations.
Hikari, drawing upon his extensive modern knowledge from Earth before his transmigration, contributed to the conversation with insights that demonstrated a surprisingly sophisticated understanding of these topics.
His grasp on matters usually reserved for seasoned n members did not go unnoticed, eliciting another round of admiration from all three present.
However, Hikari managed to maintain a bnce between humility and a modest sense of pride. He purposefully showed that ability in hopes of solidifying his standing in the eyes of the n''s leadership even more, showcasing the depth of his intellect and the breadth of his potential contributions to the Hyuga n''s future.
While Hikari engaged enthusiastically in the conversation, sharing his insights, he consciously held back the bulk of his revolutionary ideas and strategies.
He had a treasure trove of knowledge from his previous life that could potentially transform the Hyuga n''smercial and administrative efficiencies.
Yet, he chose not toy all his cards on the table during this discussion with the Patriarch and his sons. Hikari had bigger ns.
He reasoned that unveiling his full suite of ideas before he officially assumed the role of the Third Elder—a position that was rightfully his by birth—would be premature.
Hikari envisioned first applying these innovations to bolster the operations and standing of his lineage within the n.
He believed in enhancing his lineage''s prosperity and influence as a priority, demonstrating a blend of self-interest and strategic foresight.
After all, at his core, Hikari was someone who meticulously calcted his moves, always aiming to maximize benefits for himself before extending his advantages to the broader n.
The knowledge he shared today was merely the tip of the iceberg, basic insights from his past life. In contrast, he had already mapped out detailed, actionable ns to significantly boost his lineage''s financial returns and elevate its influence.
Instead, Hikari''s strategic reveal of his knowledge during this conversation was a calcted move, designed to further enhance his standing in the Patriarch''s eyes.
By demonstrating a high level of understanding and insight into the n''s operations without unveiling the full extent of his revolutionary ideas, he aimed to position himself as both capable and intelligent, yet still hinting at a deeper potential yet to be unlocked.
This tactic was part of Hikari''s broader strategy to solidify his reputation and value within the n, particrly with the Patriarch, ensuring that when the time came for him to assume his rightful ce as the Third Elder, he would already be viewed as a highly esteemed and indispensable member of the Hyuga n.
And Hikari''s decision to share just a glimpse of his profound knowledge paid off sooner than expected. The Patriarch, perhaps impressed by Hikari''s demonstration of advanced insight or his remarkable mastery of the ''64-Palm'' technique at such a young age, made an unexpected announcement.
He expressed his intention to advocate at the next Hyuga Council meeting for Hikari to begin his immersion into the business and administrative operations of the Third Lineage, currently overseen by Takumi, earlier than originally nned.
This early introduction, before officially taking on the role of the Third Elder at the age of 12, was designed to help Hikari familiarize himself with the inner workings of his lineage''s affairs, build rapport with its members, and ensure a seamless transition into future leadership.
Hikari, seemingly prepared for such an opportunity, responded with a mix of gratitude and enthusiasm. He thanked the Patriarch with a respectful politeness, infused with a genuine sense of appreciation.
His response, brimming with the eagerness of youth to take on new challenges and prove his worth, was exactly what one might expect from someone of his age and position. Yet, beneath this facade of innocence, Hikari fully recognized the strategic significance of this.